Speaking of the world's largest landlocked country, Kazakhstan covers an area of 2,724,900 square kilometers, not only covering half of Central Asia, but also straddling the two continents of Europe and Asia with the Ural River as the continent. However, because of its location in the hinterland of the continent, especially the high mountains in the southeast block the warm and humid airflow of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, the temperate continental climate has profoundly affected the distribution of the natural belt of Kazakhstan. Although the temperature is high and the light and heat are sufficient, the annual precipitation is only 200-450 mm, which cannot meet the water requirements of tall forests. However, a certain amount of precipitation will not turn this place into a barren and desolate desert or Gobi. Herbs with less water and light and heat have the conditions for growing on a large scale, forming an endless natural zone of temperate grassland or desert grassland with few trees.
Kazakhstan is deeply affected by the continental climate, with temperate grasslands and desert grasslands spreading.
But there is an old Chinese saying: "Blessing lies on the ground in Kazakhstan". Although the widespread deserts and grasslands are not as rich as the rich species bred in the Asian monsoon region, they are no more than in terms of the underground oil and gas and mineral resources. According to relevant statistics, Kazakhstan’s proven onshore oil reserves are 4.8-5.9 billion tons, and natural gas is 3.5 trillion cubic meters; Kazakhstan’s proven Caspian oil reserves are 8 billion tons, of which only the largest oil in the Kashagan oil field The recoverable reserves amount to 1 billion tons, and the recoverable reserves of natural gas exceed 1 trillion cubic meters. In terms of solid mineral resources, all elements in Mendeleev’s periodic table are stored. There are more than 90 types of storage and more than 1,200 types of mineral raw materials in the territory, including proven ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, rare metals and There are more than 500 precious metal deposits, many of which account for a high proportion of global reserves, such as tungsten more than 50%, uranium 25%, chromium 23%, lead 19%, zinc 13%, copper and iron 10% %. It is comparable to Australia, which is "ridden on a mine cart", and can be called a "super mining country".
Schematic diagram of the distribution of Kazakhstan's mineral resources
Below is a list of some of Kazakhstan's solid mineral resource reserves and global rankings.
1. Oil and natural gas.
According to the information released by the Kazakhstan National Statistics Agency, Kazakhstan has proven land oil reserves of 4.8-5.9 billion tons and 3.5 trillion cubic meters of natural gas; Kazakhstan’s proven oil reserves in the Caspian Sea are 80 100 million tons, Among them, the largest recoverable oil reserves in the Kashagan oil field reach 1 billion tons, and the recoverable natural gas reserves exceed 1 trillion cubic meters. Oil reserves rank second in the CIS countries, second only to Russia. Kazakhstan’s onshore oil reserves can be exploited continuously for 50 years, and natural gas can be exploited continuously for 75 years. In addition, in 2018, the five countries along the Caspian Sea officially signed the "Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea", laying a legal foundation for the five countries along the Caspian Sea to divide the Caspian seabed oil and natural gas resources and strengthen cooperation in various fields in the future. In the division of the Caspian Sea known as the "Second Persian Gulf", the Kazakh Caspian Sea possesses considerable oil and natural gas reserves.
Kazakh Caspian Sea contains a huge amount of oil and natural gas resources
2. Coal
Kazakhstan has 100 proven and exploited coal fields. Most of the coal fields are located in central Kazakhstan (Karaganda, Eski Bastuz and Shubarkori coal fields) and the north (Turgai coal fields). The national geological reserves of coal resources are 176.7 billion tons, ranking behind China, the United States, Russia, Australia, India, South Africa and Ukraine, accounting for 4% of the world's total reserves and ranking eighth in the world. In 2008, Kazakhstan's coal output was 105 million tons, an increase of 11.2 million tons over 2007, and it exceeded 100 million tons for the first time in 10 years. Among them, 33 million tons were exported, an increase of 28% over 2007.
The world's top ten proven coal reserves in 2012: Kazakhstan ranks eighth
3. Uranium mining
Kazakhstan is one of the rich uranium resources in the world. The proven uranium reserves are about 1.5 million tons. The total reserves account for 25% of the global reserves, ranking second in the world, second only to Australia. Leading Canada in third place. The next 4-10 uranium reserves are: South Africa, Brazil, Namibia, Uzbekistan, the United States, Niger and Russia. The uranium reserves of the world's top ten countries account for 96% of the world's total reserves.
Uranium distribution map in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has the characteristics of large reserves of uranium resources, concentrated distribution, and good mining conditions. is mainly concentrated in the southern Chuhe-Saray Suhe Uranium Mine, Xierhe Uranium Mine (more than 70% of Kazakhstan's total reserves) and northern uranium mine (about 17% of total reserves), has more than 55 proven uranium deposits. The hydrogeological conditions of Kazakhstan's uranium mines are very good and the mining costs are low. More than 90% of the uranium currently being mined is mined using low-cost methods of underground leaching. In recent years, Kazakhstan's uranium mines have continuously increased production. From 4,360 tons of uranium in 2005, it ranked third in the world after Canada and Australia. By 2016, it accounted for about 40% of the world's total uranium mining. According to the current mining volume, Kazakhstan uranium mines can continue to be mined for 100 years. In addition, my country's uranium mine cooperation with Central Asia Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan began in 2005. It is estimated that by 2030, Central Asia uranium mines can meet 70%-75% of my country's nuclear power development demand for imported natural uranium.
Kazakhstan's gold reserves rank eighth in the world.
IV. In terms of gold
Kazakhstan has rich gold reserves, with proven reserves of about 1,900 Tons, accounting for 3%-4% of global gold reserves, ranking eighth in the world. The top seven countries with gold reserves are: South Africa, the United States, Australia, China, Russia, Canada and Indonesia. There are 20 gold mining areas and 105 gold mines in Kazakhstan. They are mainly distributed in the north, east and southeast of Kazakhstan. They are basically medium-sized and small-sized mines (small-scale mines with gold reserves below 25 tons and 25-100 tons are medium-sized mines). There are only two large gold mines with reserves of more than 200 tons, namely the Navasilikov Gold Mine and the Bakirchik Gold Mine. Currently, gold production ranks among the top 20 in the world, and has become one of the world's top gold mining countries.
After aerial photography, the abandoned copper mine looks like the surface of Mars.
V. Copper mine
The proven reserves of the copper mine in Kazakhstan are 34.5 million tons, accounting for the world With 5.5% of reserves, it ranks fourth after Chile, Indonesia and the United States. At present, 93 copper mines have been explored, more than half of which are in the mining stage, and the copper mine reserves and mining volume rank first in Asia.
Kazakhstan is rich in lead and zinc ore reserves, and there are many open-pit mining areas
VI. Lead and zinc mines
At present, Kazakhstan has proven lead reserves of 11.7 million tons, accounting for about 10.1% of the world's reserves, ranking sixth after Russia, Canada, Australia, the United States and China. Among them, the industrial-grade reserves of lead and zinc ore account for 75% and 86% of the total reserves respectively, and the average grades are 1.34% and 3.15% respectively. There are more than 3,000 lead-zinc mines, mainly concentrated in the central, southern and eastern regions. Among them, there are karst mines in the south with high lead-zinc content, which belong to Kazakhstan's lead-zinc rich mines. Among them, the export volume of lead accounts for 88%-93% of the total output, mainly exported to Spain and Russia. In addition, the proven zinc reserves are 25.7 million tons, accounting for 9.5% of the world's reserves. Reserves rank fourth after Australia, the United States and Russia. The main exporting countries are Uzbekistan, Russia and China.
Kazakhstan's aluminum resource reserves rank 10th in the world.
In terms of bauxite, nickel, cobalt and cadmium ore
Kazakhstan has proven bauxite reserves of 450 million tons, and the reserves are the tenth in the world (the top nine are: Guinea, Australia, Jamaica, Brazil, India, China, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela). Kazakhstan has abundant bauxite deposits, which can be mined for 90 years based on 5 million tons mined per year. And the proven bauxite deposits are all concentrated in three areas of Constanta: West Torgay (85.8%), Middle Torgay (6.6%) and East Torgay (7.6%). Mainly exported to Russia. In addition, according to the proven reserves, Kazakhstan's nickel and cobalt reserves rank 12th and 7th in the world, respectively. There are 39 nickel mines and 55 cobalt mines nationwide. The Kazakh Nickel Company with the most reserves. At the same time, cadmium is produced, but the output of cadmium is not stable, and almost all is used for export.
The iron and steel industry uses 90%-95% of manganese, which is a catalyst for metal smelting
8. Manganese and iron ore
Kazakhstan The total reserves of manganese ore resources exceed 600 million tons, second only to South Africa, Ukraine and Gabon, ranking fourth in the world . And the distribution of manganese ore is concentrated, almost all concentrated in Karaganda Prefecture in the Kazakh hilly region. As for iron ore resources, Kazakhstan currently has 9.1 billion tons of proven iron ore reserves, which ranks sixth in the world (the top five are Russia, Australia, Ukraine, China and Brazil). The iron ore in Kazakhstan is a rich ore, with an iron concentrate content of about 65%. The main producing areas of iron ore in Kazakhstan are in the Kestane and Karaganda regions. In addition, there is abundant hematite in eastern Kazakhstan to be developed.
Metal chromium is mainly used to smelt special alloys with cobalt, nickel, tungsten and other elements. It is an indispensable basic material in the aerospace and defense industries.
9. Chrome ore Resources
Kazakhstan currently has 20 chrome ore with proven reserves, with a total reserves of more than 400 million tons. The total reserves account for one-third of the world's reserves, second only to South Africa, ranking No. two. is almost all concentrated in Hromtau (meaning "chrome mountain") in Aktobe. Based on the current annual mining volume of 2 million to 3 million tons, it can be mined for more than 100 years. The average grade of chrome ore in Kazakhstan is 40%, and most of the mines currently mined are rich ore with a content of more than 45%. For example, the Kembilsai mine contains 380 million tons of high-quality chrome ore, which is the second largest chrome ore in the world. It is highly competitive. At present, China's demand for chromium ranks first in the world, and the annual mining volume is only about 100,000 tons, so it needs to import a large amount from abroad.
Tungsten is a refractory rare metal. The tungsten alloy made is one of the most important functional materials in modern industry, national defense and high-tech applications.
10. Tungsten ore
Currently, Kazakhstan has proven tungsten reserves of 2 million tons, with total reserves accounting for 50% of global reserves, ranking first in the world. is concentrated in 12 mining areas, mainly distributed in the central Karaganda state and the southeast region, mostly tungsten and molybdenum symbiosis mines. The largest tungsten mine is the Upper Kailact mine, which is about 100 kilometers east of Atasu, Karaganda, and the world-class large open-pit tungsten mine—Bakuta Tungsten Mine, which is located in Almaty, with a total cost of 21,500 tons. Its tungsten reserves are listed in the world’s top ten tungsten ore reserves. It is a medium-grade quartz vein tungsten ore, partially exposed on the surface, suitable for large-scale open-pit mining. At the same time, as a national defense-level strategic resource, tungsten is also an irreplaceable basic material in the development of the national economy.
Kazakhstan's seemingly barren land contains amazing minerals
As one of the countries with the most natural resources in the world, Kazakhstan's seemingly barren land, but underground The world’s top mineral resources, rich mineral resources such as oil, natural gas, graphite, uranium, and agricultural and forestry products such as cotton, leather, and raw silk, are the resources that China lacks.As the only place to pass through the "New Silk Road Economic Belt", Kazakhstan has increasingly become a hot spot for Chinese people.
Remarks: The data used in this article are quoted from the website of the Counselor's Office of the Ministry of Commerce and Encyclopedia
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